Abstract

Background

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence in the general population of parents'
concerns about the development of their child, to identify groups at risk and to assess
the association between parents' concerns and professional judgement.

Methods

We obtained cross-sectional data on a Dutch nationally representative sample of children
aged 14 months, 3 3/4, 5–6 and 8–12 years within the setting of routine well-child
visits provided to the entire population. A total of 4,107 participated (response
rate 85.3%). Data were about concerns that parents reported by questionnaire before
the visit regarding behavioural and emotional problems, developmental delay, consequences
of disease and contact with peers that needed professional assistance, and about the
assessment of these domains by doctors and nurses during the visit. Moreover, we obtained
data on parent-reported psychosocial problems using the Infant-Toddler Social and
Emotional Assessment and the Child Behavior Checklist.

Results

Of all parents, 49.3% reported some concerns and 8.7% reported frequent concerns,
most frequently on child behaviour. Frequent concerns were most likely to refer to
young children, children from labour immigrant families, with fathers of medium educational
level and in low-income families. The prevalence rates of professional-assessed parenting
problems were much lower than parent-reported ones. The rates of psychosocial problems
were highest in the case of shared concerns, but also higher if parents expressed
concerns that were not confirmed by professionals.

Conclusion

A very large proportion of parents of young children have concerns regarding their
child, but agreement on these concerns with child health professionals is relatively
low.